Today marks the last day of our expedition aboard National Geographic Orion in Antarctica, and what a perfect day it has been. Our morning was spent in sunshine and sea ice as we walked from Wiencke Island to Port Lockroy on Goudier Island across the frozen sea. Our afternoon was spent Zodiac cruising amongst chinstrap and gentoo penguins, Weddell, crabeater, and leopard seals, blue-eyed shags, and snow petrels in azure blue icebergs around the Useful Islands in the Gerlache Strait. But rather than concentrate on what is last, it might be more fun to highlight what were the firsts on this expedition:

  • This expedition was the first of the 2016-17 Antarctic season. National Geographic Orion was the first Lindblad ship to come to Antarctica this season, and it is the earliest time of the season that this ship has ever been in Antarctic waters.
  • Ours was the very first Lindblad Expeditions ship this season to sight an emperor penguin, thanks to yours truly!
  • We were the first ship this austral summer to push through the ice and transit the Neumayer Channel, bringing the staff that work at Port Lockroy to their base so they can clear the snow at the station and prepare for visiting ships.
  • We also were the very first ship to visit Port Lockroy with guests this season.
  • We are the very first Lindblad Expeditions ship to cross-country ski on frozen ocean in Antarctica!
  • We currently hold the furthest south attained record this season being the first ship to glimpse the Lemaire Channel and getting to 65˚ 2.56’ South. This record will certainly be broken soon, but given ice conditions this early in the season this was no easy task.

Being in Antarctica is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most on board. Being in Antarctica on an 1A ice class purpose-built expedition ship with a 3,264 horse-power engine, ice strengthened hull, rudder, and propeller shaft, along with a bridge and expedition team that have literally hundreds of seasons of combined experience in Antarctic waters is the safest and most exciting way to experience the White Continent.

In the true spirit of expedition travel we find ourselves in the right place, at the right time, with the right ship and crew. It has all combined for an absolutely stunning opening to this Antarctic season. On behalf of Captain Martin Graser, Expedition Leader Peter Carey, and the officers, crew, and staff of the National Geographic Orion it has been an exceptional expedition in all respects. If you are reading these words and are considering an expedition to Antarctica I have only one question for you; what are you waiting for? I hope to see you here on the ice!